IT would be a tad premature for Yarraville Club to be putting the champagne on ice, but they’re so close to capturing their fourth consecutive Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division flag that they can just about taste it.
The Clubbers asserted their big-game authority on the first weekend of a four-day grand final with Beaumaris at Peter Robertson Oval in Murrumbeena to open up a healthy lead at stumps on day two.
Clubbers president John Strachan added a touch of reality, saying the game was far from being settled.
“We’re in a pretty good position, but grand finals are not over till the last minute. We’re not going to rest on that. Next Saturday is another day and we start from scratch.”
It’s hard for the Clubbers fans not to be a little bit over-excited heading into next weekend. Noone in the modern era has achieved a four-peat and their side leads by 121 runs with nine wickets in hand.
Strachan has been around cricket long enough to know the tide can turn in an instant. So, too, have the Clubbers on-field leaders.
Co-coaches Justin Baker and Emmett Bronca will stress the importance of keeping the finger on the pulse this weekend. Michael O’Keefe, the team’s elder statesman, will also offer plenty of direction.
“[The co-coaches] rely heavily on his experience, especially out on the ground,” Strachan said.
Yarraville Club was greeted by testing batting conditions on day one.
On face value, its total of 205 in 87 overs did not appear to be sufficient.
“They said it was a very slow wicket,” Strachan said after speaking to his batsmen.
“It was hard to bat on and you had to be patient to push the runs. Our guys did a really good job.”
Anthony Cristofaro mastered the conditions, grinding
out one of his grittiest innings (92).
“He got so close to a grand final hundred, he was kicking himself,” Strachan said.
“He’s one of those guys who gives 200per cent every game.
“He’s a major part of the top-six structure at the club and he’s only about 26 years old.”
Kayne Meehan was the only other batsman to appear totally comfortable out in the middle for the Clubbers in their first dig.
The wicketkeeper made a resilient 36 in a 108-run partnership with Cristofaro before he was run out.
Beaumaris was in all sorts of trouble on 8-81 before a late fightback was inspired by their skipper Ian Hewett and Sam Chamberlain (26), who saw them to 126. Hewitt, with 25 runs and five wickets, is keeping the underdogs in the game.
The Clubbers went to stumps on Sunday on 1-42, with Viv Ion racing to 32 not out.
VTCA GRAND FINALS:
Senior division: Yarraville Club 205 (A Cristofaro 92 K Meehan 36) and 1-42 (V Ion 32no) v Beaumaris 126 (M Boglis 4-40 MP O’Keefe 2-30).
Senior seconds: Hoppers Crossing 163 and 0-27 v Bentleigh 121.
North division: Keilor v Doutta Stars 6-162.
North seconds: Strathmore 6-173 v Keilor.
North A1: Laverton 147 (D Mason 26 C Swallow 26) v East Keilor 7-164.
North A2: Taylors Lakes 79 and 2-31 v Laverton 128 (C Cox 35).
West B1: Altona Roosters 100 (P Grant 3-17 T Kriebardis 2-14 T Weerasinghe 2-15 T Matkovic 2-27) v Seddon 8-194 (TJ Grant 106no; L Lewis 4-42 D Wainwright 2-35).
West B2: Seddon 172 (S Butera 57; M Rae 38 M Nolton 4-33 J Elkington 2-10 M Sulman 2-20) v Altona Roosters 49 (L Davies 5-7 C Weitzel 2-7 C Stow 2-22) and 4-21 (L Davies 3-10).
